Johnson College Spring 2021 Semester President’s List

On May 17, 2021, Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO of Johnson College, announced the President’s List of students who have completed the 2021 Spring Semester with a grade point average of 3.90 or higher.

Evan Wilcox, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Milanville, PA

John DeLucca, Electrical Construction and Maintenance Technology, Pittston, PA

Brandon Dougherty, Electrical Construction and Maintenance Technology, South Abington Township, PA

Philip Davitt, Electrical Construction and Maintenance Technology, Dickson City, PA

Shane McHugh, Computer Information Technology, Scranton, PA

David Weaver, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technology, Carbondale, PA

Brandon Grandinetti, Computer Information Technology, Olyphant, PA

Michael Salansky, Computer Information Technology, Uniondale, PA

Brittany Bethel, Veterinary Technology, Dallas, PA

Devon Nowicky, Radiologic Technology, Drums, PA

Jorden Sekol, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Old Forge, PA

Alexander Nallin, Veterinary Technology, Scranton, PA

Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a caring environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their careers. Johnson College degrees become essential careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912, and is the region’s premier technical college, offering 15 associate degree programs and 3 academic certificates. An emphasis on hands-on instruction is supported by a low student-to-teacher ratio. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industry to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.

Tech Talk With Johnson College Podcast with Guest, Nick Scarnato ’80, Now Available

In this episode of Tech Talk with Johnson College, Dr. Katie Pittelli welcomes Nick Scarnato ‘80, the Executive Vice President of New Vision Industries. During the conversation, Nick talks about his path from Old Forge to Johnson College and then into the Aerospace industry, his memories of Johnson College, and how he continues to use skills he perfected here. He also shares how his desire to live a life that offers more than just the same thing day in and day out, inspired his education choices and furthered his career path. 

To listen to all of the Tech Talk with Johnson College Podcast episodes and learn more visit https://johnsoncollegepodcast.com/. The podcasts are also available on iTunes and Spotify.

Nicholas Scarnato is Executive Vice President of New Vision Industries, a precision manufacturing company located in the Southern Tier of New York. Prior to joining New Vision Industries, he held positions in Engineering, Project Management, Business Development, and Strategic Development for major Aerospace Corporations spanning 40 years.

A graduate of Johnson College (1980), Nick’s employment history started with Singer, Link Flight Simulation Division, as a Test Engineer where he supported the development, test, project management, and capture management of multiple US and NATO Military Simulators (F-16 Falcon, UH-60 Blackhawk, CH-47 Chinook (Including Special Forces variants) and AH-64 Apache). Nick continued his career with Link performing as a Customer Liaison to European NATO Forces (Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway) as well as Liaison to United States Air Forces located in Germany and Spain. At Link, Nick went on to become a Capture Team Leader for multiple U.S. Airforce and U.S. Army platform simulators.

After 20 years with Link, Nick joined Collins Aerospace where he continued to support Military Simulation in multiple capacities (Director of Business Development Capture Management, Strategic Marketing and Strategic Development) for Major Defense platforms (B-1B Lancer, B-52 Stratofortress, P-3 Orion, Stryker LAV, E-2C/D Hawkeye). In his role as Strategic Development Director, he supported the acquisition of multiple companies to meet corporate strategic growth initiatives. He supported a team researching Training Effectiveness, Cognitive Saturation, and Adaptive Learning partnering with small businesses and Universities. As the Strategic Development Director, he and his team supported 5 major Business Leaders in the development of their Business Growth initiatives.

As EVP of New Vision Industries, Nick leads a talented team toward the strategic change and growth of the business. Nick’s focus is on leadership for the positioning and posturing of the business toward long-term growth within existing and adjacent markets. Nick also supports the strategic development of the company’s OEM products.

Nick has led the capture of multiple large strategic programs securing $2B in contract wins. He holds an AAS in Electronics and Fluidics from Johnson College and a BS in Management from Binghamton University. Nick and his wife reside in the Southern Tier of New York where they enjoy family time with their Daughters, Son in Laws and Grandchildren.

From Headlights to Taillights: Bells and Whistles

By Mark Kozemko ’79, Johnson College’s Automotive Technology Program Director

Original published in the April 30, 2021 edition of the Valley Advantage. https://www.thevalleyadvantage.com/community-columns/from-headlights-to-taillights-bells-and-whistles/article_d79d0f20-6e24-5669-be24-be5127360161.html

Did you ever get into a vehicle to test drive it and wonder, “Why does this vehicle have so many gadgets? What do they all do? Will I ever use them all?”

I know it sounds funny, but many new car buyers don’t even use some of the standard options, never mind all the extra “bells and whistles.” This month I’m fielding questions about what some of these extra options — or gadgets as I call them — are and how they work.

Before I get into the questions, I want to point out that the reason new vehicles come with an abundance of these options is mainly due to consumer demand. When manufacturers receive a high number of requests from their modern, tech-savvy customers for a specific option, they respond, as long as the request is within reason.

Our first question is, “What is adaptive cruise control and how does it work?”

Adaptive cruise control allows a driver to not only set a speed to travel but also set a specific distance between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them. This option doesn’t come in all vehicles yet, but as we all know, when it works in certain vehicles, it won’t be long until most manufactures will offer it as standard equipment.

Once the driver inputs the cruise control settings mentioned above, other than steering, the vehicle is basically in control. When cruising, if the vehicle in front of you slows, your vehicle will reduce speed to maintain a safe distance. When the vehicle in front either moves out of the way or speeds up, your vehicle will accelerate to return to your preset speed. This is accomplished by a combination of sensors and cameras. This option is often paired up with additional options like lane-keeping assistance, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking.

I can tell you from experience, driving a vehicle equipped with adaptive cruise control is awesome. If you have an extended commute, you may want to check out vehicles with this option.

The second question is, “What are active headlamps?”

This active headlamp option, which was designed to give the driver better visibility when traveling on winding roads, gives your headlights the ability to move to the right or left from the straight-ahead position. The headlight movement is accomplished using motors controlled by sensors in the steering system. The sensors send a signal to a control unit telling it what direction the driver is steering, and, in turn, activates the motors to move the light assemblies in that direction.

At this time, this option is only available on select models and is not very useful unless your commute involves very winding roads.

The third and final question this month is, “Is the Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ option worth getting for my Ford truck?”

Per Ford.com, a driver enters a few measurements into the Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ system, then a camera tracks the trailer position while you’re backing up your truck and guiding the trailer. You rotate the knob left or right in the direction you want the trailer to go while the system controls the steering wheel.

It all depends on your comfort level when backing up your trailer. If you are new at trailer backing, then this option is definitely for you. If you’ve had your trailer for a while and used it several times, I don’t believe an option like this is worth it.

I have a great deal of experience towing. I’ve towed everything from a 53-foot trailer to a short 15-foot water buffalo when I was in the Navy. It was always more difficult for me to back up the shorter pieces of equipment than the larger ones. I still do my fair share of towing cars, boats and Jet Ski trailers. I think I would find myself fighting with a truck that is trying to do something for me that I am very comfortable doing myself.

Keep in mind that all of these options or gadgets, as I call them, come with a price tag. Always weigh the pros and cons of any option to determine if it is worth it to you when buying a vehicle. Don’t be afraid to ask the “What is this? What does it do? Will I use it?” questions you have. Make sure you get the answers and try out every option and gadget before you take any money out of your pocket.

28th Annual Johnson College Open to be held May 21, 2021

The 28th Annual Johnson College Open will be held on Friday, May 21, 2021, at Pine Hills Country Club in Taylor, PA (rain or shine).  Proceeds from this annual golf tournament support the Johnson College Presidential Scholarship Fund. Each academic year, Presidential Scholarships are awarded to four qualified and deserving full-time students.

Sponsors of the 28th Annual Johnson College Open to date include:

Presenting Sponsor: Gerrity’s Supermarkets

Advertising Sponsor: Lamar Advertising Company

Platinum: Shea Demolition, Inc.

Platinum Marketing Sponsor: Sweda Advertising

Gold Print Sponsor: Sprint Print

Gold Sponsors: Fastenal Company, Johnson Controls, L.R. Costanzo Construction Services Company Inc., Peoples Security Bank and Trust, PNC Bank, Reilly Associates, Simplex Homes, Sordoni Construction Services, Inc., Toyota of Scranton, Stevens & Lee, and Vacendak Construction.

Cart Sponsor: ShopRite

Breakfast Sponsor: Troy Mechanical, Inc.

Lunch Sponsor: Christiano Welding Supply

Dinner Sponsor: Kutztown University  

Gift Sponsor: Action Lift, Inc.

Cocktail Sponsor – Topp Copy

Mulligan Sponsor: A. Pickett Construction, Inc.

Hole in One Sponsor: Gibbons Ford

Photo Caption:

Recently, sponsors of the 28th Annual Johnson College Open met on the Johnson College campus to discuss the event being held on Friday, May 21, 2021, at Pine Hills Country Club in Taylor, PA.  Proceeds from this annual golf tournament support the Johnson College Presidential Scholarship Fund. Left to Right – Row 1: Joyce Fasula- Gerrity’s Supermarket, Katie Pittelli, Ed.D.- Johnson College, and Joe Shea ’85 – Shea Demolition, Inc. . Row 2: Atty. Marianne Gilmartin – Stevens & Lee, George Sweda- Sweda Advertising, and Karen Baker- Johnson College. Row 3: Jennifer Davis- Sordoni Construction Services, Inc. and Nick Costanzo- Costanzo Construction Services, Inc. Row 4: Stephen Midura- Johnson Controls, Inc., Nicole Costanzo- PNC Bank, Pat Dietz- Peoples Security Bank & Trust, Laurie McMillan- Kutztown University, and Dave Boniello ’84- Simplex Homes. Row 5: Katie Gallagher- ShopRite, Ashley Beechaver- Gibbons Ford, Patrick Rogers- Toyota of Scranton, and Marcelo DeSousa- Fastenal Company.